Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vicious'

English Word: vicious

Key Russian Translations:

• Злой [zlój] - [Informal, often used for personal or emotional malice]
• Жестокий [ʐɨˈstokʲɪj] - [Formal, implies cruelty or violence in a more severe context]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, media, and everyday discussions about behavior)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuances of adjectives and contextual usage; varies by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Злой: [zlój]

Note on Злой: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'з' sound is like the 'z' in 'zoo', and it can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Жестокий: [ʐɨˈstokʲɪj]

Note on Жестокий: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'; pay attention to the soft 'й' at the end for proper Russian pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Cruel or violent in nature, often describing behavior or actions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Злой - Used in informal contexts to describe someone with a mean or spiteful temperament, such as in personal arguments.
• Жестокий - Applied in formal or serious contexts, like describing violent acts or harsh treatment in literature or news.

Usage Examples:

• Он был злым соседом, всегда кричал на детей. (He was a vicious neighbor, always yelling at the children.)

  Translation: He was a vicious neighbor, always yelling at the children.

• Её жестокий комментарий ранил его чувства. (Her vicious comment wounded his feelings.)

  Translation: Her vicious comment wounded his feelings.

• В фильме показано, как злые животные атакуют деревню. (The movie shows vicious animals attacking the village.)

  Translation: The movie shows vicious animals attacking the village.

• Жестокий лидер режима подавлял любое сопротивление. (The vicious leader of the regime suppressed any resistance.)

  Translation: The vicious leader of the regime suppressed any resistance.

• Его злые шутки на вечеринке испортили настроение. (His vicious jokes at the party ruined the mood.)

  Translation: His vicious jokes at the party ruined the mood.

Meaning 2: Extremely severe or intense, such as in describing a cycle or pattern.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Жестокий - Often used metaphorically for cycles or patterns that are unrelenting, like in economic or natural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Жестокий цикл нищеты трудно прервать. (The vicious cycle of poverty is hard to break.)

  Translation: The vicious cycle of poverty is hard to break.

• В природе жестокий отбор определяет выживание. (In nature, vicious selection determines survival.)

  Translation: In nature, vicious selection determines survival.

• Её жестокий график работы сказывается на здоровье. (Her vicious work schedule is affecting her health.)

  Translation: Her vicious work schedule is affecting her health.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Злой is a short-form adjective and can vary irregularly, while жестокий follows standard adjective patterns.

Note: Злой has irregular forms in some cases, while жестокий is more predictable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Коварный (deceptive, with a focus on trickery)
  • Безжалостный (ruthless, emphasizing lack of mercy)
• Antonyms:
  • Добрый (kind)
  • Милосердный (merciful)

Related Phrases:

• Злой как собака - Meaning: As vicious as a dog; used to describe someone extremely angry or aggressive.
• Жестокий мир - Meaning: A vicious world; refers to a harsh, unforgiving environment, often in philosophical contexts.
• Впасть в жестокий круг - Meaning: To fall into a vicious cycle; common in discussions about social issues.

Usage Notes:

Vicious in English often carries a connotation of unwarranted aggression, which aligns closely with злой in informal Russian speech, but жестокий is preferred for more formal or intense scenarios. Be mindful of context: злой might sound too casual in professional settings, while жестокий can emphasize physical or emotional cruelty. When choosing between translations, consider the gender and case agreement with the noun it modifies, as Russian adjectives must agree grammatically.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using злой in formal writing without proper inflection, e.g., saying "злой человек" in a context where genitive is needed ("злого человека"). Correct: Ensure agreement, as in "злого человека" for "of the vicious person". This mistake arises from overlooking Russian case systems.

• Error: Confusing жестокий with злой, leading to overuse of жестокий for minor annoyances. Correct: Reserve жестокий for severe cases; for everyday meanness, use злой, e.g., instead of "он жестокий" for "he's a bit vicious," say "он злой".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like жестокий often evoke historical contexts such as the harsh realities of Soviet-era life or wartime experiences, adding a layer of depth to descriptions of cruelty. Злой might be used more lightly in folklore or everyday humor, reflecting a cultural tendency to personify negative traits in stories.

Related Concepts:

• Агрессивный
• Безжалостный
• Коварство